FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska — From hand-sewn prototypes to custom-built web platforms, Soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division demonstrated the power of grassroots innovation during Angel Ascent, held Oct. 28 at the division theater.
Col. Matthew Adamczyk, deputy commanding officer for operations, 11th Airborne Division, praised the competitors’ efforts.
“Soldiers across the 11th Airborne Division continue to demonstrate that many of the best ideas come from the bottom up. Events like Angel Ascent prove the ability of our troops to solve problems, our job is to help provide the right resources. When our Soldiers and leaders are empowered, there's no limit to what we can achieve in the Arctic and beyond.” said Col. Adamczyk.
Spc. Leighton Keilen, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, earned first place for his Skydio Drone Relay and modular payload delivery system that significantly extends tactical drone range and utility in Alaska’s rugged, mountainous terrain. Col. Matthew Adamczyk presented Keilen with a Meritorious Service Medal. All other competitors received Army Commendation Medals, and every participant was awarded a four-day pass in recognition of their efforts.
The competition provided Soldiers of all ranks a direct platform to present practical solutions to senior military leaders, civilian officials and innovation experts. Each innovator received 10 minutes to brief their project followed by five minutes of questions from the judging panel, which evaluated entries on problem identification, solution quality, operational value, resource requirements and presentation.
The event highlighted a key truth: some of the Army’s most effective solutions come from the Soldiers who live with the problems every day. Whether serving in Arctic extremes or supporting complex administrative demands, these warfighters refused to accept “the way it’s always been done.”
The competitors’ backgrounds highlight the wide range of skills, experiences and perspectives that strengthen today’s Army. Pfc. Michael Pereira, a tactical unmanned aircraft systems specialist from Miami, Florida, hand-sewed his first prototype of a passive thermal battery vault designed to keep drone batteries viable in sub-zero temperatures using only body heat and radiant barriers.
Staff Sgt. Baddeley, a respiratory therapist from Petaluma, California, developed TroopToTask.org after years of watching small-unit leaders struggle with fragmented spreadsheets. His intuitive web platform consolidates personnel data, training records, duty rosters and mission tracking, allowing commanders, first sergeants and leaders at every echelon to focus on leading Soldiers instead of chasing administrative tasks.
Other standout projects included a low-cost battery eliminator for PRC-158 radios in extreme cold, a modular power and heating system for man-hauled Ahkio sleds, 3D-printed explosively formed penetrators for FPV drones, and a unit-fabricated ring mount hatch for FMTVs that protects convoy gunners in Arctic conditions for a fraction of the cost of commercial systems.
By formally recognizing these efforts with awards and command emphasis, the 11th Airborne Division is cultivating a culture where initiative is expected and innovation is accelerated. Events like Angel Ascent serve as a powerful example for the broader Army of how to empower Soldiers at the tactical edge to solve real problems, reduce logistical burdens, and increase lethality in austere environments.
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